Author(s):
1. Marijana Kapovic Solomun, Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Mihajlo Markovic, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Svjetlana Coralic, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Milan Šipka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Mladen Babić, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is new concept raised from Sustainable Development Goal 15 which urges countries to „protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.“ Target 15.3. is devoted to “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation neutral world by 2030.” Progress in achievement of LDN is measured trough indicator 15.3.1 “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area”. Definition of LDN is “a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales”. UNCCD provided guidance to countries which are invited to estimate state of land resources, trends of land degradation, and define national voluntary target and measures to achieve LDN by 2030. This paper aimes to present LDN target setting process in the Republic of Srpska (BiH), global data from UNCCD, land degradation trends, proposed LDN target in achieving LDN and future steps. MATERIAL AND METHOD Countries were provided by global dataset for tree sub-indicators: land cover (LC) by European Space Agency (ESA), land productivity dynamics (LPD) by Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) and carbon stocks above and below ground (SOC) by International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC). Countries could ehnance and complement these global indicators by national (or subnational) level indicators. FAO GAUL network provided datasets on watershed level and proposed priority ones, in terms of land degradation area. LC change and SOC are derived from comparison of two periods (2000-2010) and LPD is presented as trend for period 1998-2013. Main land degradation (LD) drivers were identified in 21 visited municipalities of the Republic of Srpska, and „hot spots“ are proposed. RESULTS Global data for LC indicate loss of forests on 6.400 ha, and their conversion to shrubs, grasslands and sparsely vegetated areas on 1.400 ha and to cropland on 5.000 ha. LPD has negative trend on 63.500 ha or cca 3% of the Republic of Srpska (RS) territory. SOC indicate average content of 104,4 t/ha and loss of 74.609 tons for the same period. Existing national data for LC and SOC do not have spatial and temporal sequences, they are not aligned with LDN methodology, and often do not reflect the situation on the field. There are no national data on LPD aligned with LDN methodology. Watershed analyze indicates the Sava and Neretva River Basin as priority ones. Three the most significant "hot spots" areas within proposed basins in the Republic of Srpska have been proposed as following: Herzegovina, Semberija and Lijevče polje. Global data will be used for baseline, LD trends, target and measures for achieving LDN. National monitoring is necessary for reliable future assessment of land resources state and LD trends in the RS.

Key words:
LDN target,land degradation indicators,trends,measures

Thematic field:
Forest ecology and conservation of natural resources

Date of abstract submission:
14.08.2017.

Conference:
Šumarska nauka u funkciji održivog razvoja šumarstva
25 godina šumarstva Republike Srpske